Protraction-retraction mechanism for writing instruments



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inven/or Aug. 28, 1962 F. T. JOHMANN PROTRACTION-RETRACTION MECHANISM FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS Filed Sept. 21. 1959 FIG.- 2

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Aug. 28, 1962 F. T. JOHMANN 3,051,132

PROTRACTION-RETRACTION MECHANISM FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21, 1959 FIG-9 FIG-IO lnven/or 1mm 8 United States Patent 3,051,132 PROTRACTION-RETRACTIGN MIECHANIEM FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS Frank T. Johmann, 49 Hampton Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ.

Filed Sept. 21, 1959, Ser. No. 841,243 12 Claims. (Cl. 12042.03)

This invention relates to writing instruments. P articularly, the invention relates to a ballpoint writing instrument and to a retraction-protraction mechanism therefor, which is actuated either by pressing the writing tip portion of the instrument against a rigid surface or by pressing a pushbutton located proximate the rear of the instrument.

In my prior patent applications, Serial No. 643,800, filed March 4, 1957, now abandoned and Serial No. 788,098, filed January 21, 1959, I have described an improved writing instrument having a tip-actuated retraction-protraction mechanism. This mechanism was actuated by pressing the writing end of the instrument against a rigid surface to either protract or retract the writing point. The present invention represents a further improvement in that it provides a simple mechanism which can be either tip-actuated or actuated by a pushbutton located proximate the rear portion of the instrument.

The invention will be further understood by the following description and the accompanying drawings which include a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a ballpoint writing instrument of the invention with the ballpoint in a protracted position.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the writing instrument of FIGURE 1, wherein the point has been forced inwardly relative to the barrel by pressing the point downwardly onto a rigid surface.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the writing instrument of FIGURE 1 showing the point retained in a retracted position after being lifted free from the writing surface.

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the writing instrument of FIGURE 1, wherein a pushbutton located at the rear end of the barrel has been depressed to initiate the retraction movement.

' FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged longitudinal view of the latch element shown in FIGURE 1. v

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relative position of a projecting ear of the latch element with regard to the latch receiving means at various stages of operation of the retraction-protraction mechanism.

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of my invention in a retracted position.

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of FIGURE 8 in an extended position.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary view in section showing the pushbutton extending from the side of the instrument.

Reference is now made to the drawings in detail, with particular reference to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 7. The writing instrument has a tubular casing or barrel including the upper barrel section 19 and the lower barrel section 11, which sections are joined together by frictional and threaded engagement respective- 13/ with the tubular plug 12 The upper end of the barrel section 10 is formed with a threaded bore for receiving the threaded tubular end plug 13 which holds the top ring clip 14 in place. The lower portion 15 of the barrel section 11, is tapered inwardly terminating in an open writing end and is formed interiorly with an annular lip 16. Carried within the barrel section 11 is a longitudinally movable tubular sleeve or hood 17, having a reduced cross section at its lower portion to thereby provide a shoulder 18 which normally seats against the lip 15. The outer portion of said sleeve 17 may be tapered and normally projects outwardly through the lower open end of the barrel section 11. The outer end of said sleeve 17, may be formed with the annular interior lip 19. Longitudinally slidable within said sleeve 17, is'a point and cartridge writing unit indicated generally at 20, including a tubular reservoir tube 21, which is otiset inwardly at its lower end to form the shoulder 22 and the short feed tube 23 which carries the writing ball 24}.- A flange or flattened portion 25 may be formed in the tube 21. A relatively weak compression helical coil spring 26, surrounding a portion of the reservoir tube 21, is retained between washers 27 provided at the lower edge of the flange 25 and the inner end of said sleeve 17. The spring 26 urges the sleeve 17 outwardly relative to the barrel so as to maintain the shoulder 13 normally seated against the lip 16. A relatively strong helical compression spring 28, also surrounding the reservoir tube 21, is disposed between washers 27 located at the underside of the plug 12 and the top of said flange 25. Spring 28 urges the point and cartridge unit 2iloutwardly relative to the barrel, While engagement of the shoulder 22 against the lip 19 of the sleeve 17, limits this outward movement so that the short terminal tube 23 projects through said lip 19; The upper or inner end of the reservoir tube 21 is insertable into the tubular latch element 29 and may be held either by frictional engagement or otherwise fixed thereto. A series of spaced ears 3% extend outwardly from the lower portion of the latch element 29, said cars 30' having tapered top and bottom edges 31. The upper end of said latch element 29 may be formed with small bore or air vent 32 to allow passage of air into the open top of the cartridge as the ink is Withdrawn by use. A latch mechanism is provided within the upper portion of the barrel, which includes an upper latch member 33 and a lower latch member 34. Both latch members are tubular in cross section and may be held in fixed spaced relation ship to each other, either by gluing or frictional engagement within the sleeve 35. The upper end of the sleeve 35 terminates in a stem 36 which normally extends through the upper end of the barrel section 10 and the tubular plug 13, and serves as a pushbutton. A relatively strong compression spring 37 is disposed between a washer 35 engaging the lower end of said tubular sleeve 35 and the top of said plug 12. Spring 37 normally urges the sleeve 35 upwardly so as to seat said. sleeve against the inner end wall 39 of the barrel section 16 whereby the stem 36 extends to its outermost position, The top rim of the lower latch member 34 is formed with a series of radially spaced deep slots or recesses 49 which are open at their top. Also formed in said top rim between said deep recesses 40 are pairs of upwardly projecting shallow teeth 41 each having a vertical edge'41 and a tapered edge 41" (see FIG. 7). The lower rim of the upper latch member 33 is also notched to form the downwardly-projecting radially spaced teeth 42, each having the vertical edge 42' and the tapered edge 42". Said downwardly projecting teeth 42 are radially offset from the upwardly projecting teeth 41 and are adapted to cooperate therewith in a manner to be later explained.

In writing position the ball and cartridge unit 20 is maintained in its protracted position by action of the strong spring 28. When the writing instrument is pressed against the writing surface at an angle during normal writing use, there is little or no tendency for the point to be forced inwardly into the barrel against the outwardly. exerting spring pressure.

However, by holding the writing instrument perpendicular to the writing surface and then pressing downward, or when holding the instrument at a normal writing angle and exerting a downward pressure parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument, then the ballpoint readily moves inwardly toward-the barrel. FIGURE 1, shows the writing instrument in a protracted position, preparatory to retracting the point. It will be noted that the cars 39 of the latch element 29 carried by the'cartridge, are resting on the bottom edge of the deep slots 40 so that the point and cartridge unit is' extended under the action of the spring 28. In

FIGURE 2, the writing instrument has been pressed downwardly against a'rigid surface 43 so as to force both the'sleeve- 17 and the point and cartridge unit 24) inwardly'relative to the barrel. As the latch element 29 is moved upwardly by, said cartridge unit 20, the upper tapered edges 31 of its projecting ears 3%, come into contact with the tapered edges 42" of the teeth 42 of the upper latch member 33. The cars then ride along the teeth 42 until stopped upon reaching the vertical edges 42, thereby slightly rotating the latch element 29 (in a clockwise direction when viewed from the top) to the position shown in FIGURE 2. Then as the instrument is lifted from the rigid surface 43, the sleeve 17 returns to its outwardly projecting position under action of its spring 26. The ears 30, under influence of the spring 28 acting on the writing unit 20, move downward out of contact with the upper teeth 42 and come into contact with the tapered edges 41" of teeth 41. The cars 30 are again partially rotated as they slide downwardly along said tapered edges 41 untilstopped by the vertical edges 41. The cartridge and its point are now in a retracted position with the ball 24 concealed within the hood 17. The whole assembly thus assumes to position 6 where it again engages a tapered edge 42" of an upper tooth, slides upwardly to position 7, then drops to position 8 as the point is lifted from engagement with said surface, slides to position 9, and finallydrops tended and the cycle is completed.

to position 1', at which position the point is again ex- The point can also be actuated through a similar retraction-protractioncycle by means of! the pushbutton or stem 36. Thus, FIGURE 4 shows the pushbutton'36 depressed to initiate the first stage of a retraction cycle. Here, the sleeve is forced further inwardly into the barrel against the pressure of the spring'37, thereby moving the teeth 42 of the upper latch member 33 into contact with the ears 3% so as to partially rotate said cars 39. It will be apparentthat upon release of the pushbutton 36, the ears 30 will be next engaged by the lower teeth 41 and partially rotated as the spring 37 forces the sleeve 35, alongwith the latch members 33 .and 34 upwardly. Thus the mechanism will again assume the position of FIGURE 3. By again depressing the pushbutton, the ears 3% are rotated by engagement with the upper latch member 33. When pressure is released on the tubular pushbutton, then the ears 30 are engaged by the lower latch member 34 and directed to, the deep recesses 4t and the pen again assumes the position of FIGURE 1.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Here the sleeve 17 is elongated and extends through the plug 12. Proximate the inner end of said sleeve 17' are formed the ears 30. The cars 30 are adapted for engagement with the teeth and slots or recesses of the upper and lower latch members 33 and 34 respectively. The ink reservoir tube 21 projects 1 through the inner end of the sleeve 17' and the tubular the position shown in FIGURE .3. It will be noted that the sleeve 35 along with the tubular latch members 33 I and 34 are now located slightly further downward within the barrel as abalance is reached between the opposing force of springs 28 and 37.

To extend the ballpoint from its retracted position, the

surface. The sleeve 17 and then the point and cartridge unit 20 are forced inwardly into the barrel. As the cartridge unit 20 is forced inwardly, the cars 30 are lifted out of contact with the lower set of teeth 41 and into contact with the tapered sides 42" of the upper teeth 42. The

" qu1te sumlar to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 7.

cars 30 are again partially rotated as they slide upwardly along the sides 4 until they contact the vertical sides 42. Then as the instrument is lifted upward from the rigid surface, the ears 30 drop from contact with the instrument isagain pressed downward against a rigid latch members 33 and 34. A washer 44 is fixed to said tube 21 proximate its inner end and above the latch member 33. The sleeve 35', which carries the latch members 33 and 34, is formed with the downwardly projecting cylindrical boss 45. A compression coil spring 46 is retained between the. upper closing wall of the sleeve 35' and the washer 44 and is prevented from transverse movement by the boss and the inner end of the reservoir tube 21. The spring'46'urges thetube 21 outwardly relative to the sleeve 35 so as to maintain the upper teeth 42 and again come into engagement with the Y tapered edges 41"of the lower teeth and slide along said edges 41" until said ears 34 drop into the deep recesses 40, thereby assuming again the position of FIGURE 1.

The above described sequence of steps is illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE .7. Here the latching mechanism has been developed into a single plane and the small circles with the adjacent numerals represent the location of an ear 30 at various stages of the cycle. Initially, when the point is extended, the car 39 is at position 1, in a deep 'slot 40. When the writing instrument is pressed downward against a hard surface the ear is moved upward out of the recess 40 to position 2 where it engages the'tapered edge 42" of a tooth 42. As the ear is moved further upward, the ear slides along the tapered edge 42" and is partially rotated to position 3, which is above the tapered edge 41" of a lower tooth 41. Then as pressure is released, the ear drops down into engagement with the tapered edge 41" (position 4), sliding downward along said edge until it reaches position 5, atwhich point the cartridgeand its point is in its retracted position. As the point is extended by subsequent pressing against a rigid surface, the ear 30 is lifted washer 44 seated upon the upper, end of the latch member 33, thereby limiting the outward movement of the cartridge. 1

The operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 is Upon pressing the tip end of the instrument against a rigid surface, the sleeve 17 will be forced inwardly into the barrel (10 and 11), against the pressure of the compression spring 47. The spring 47 is retained between the flange 48 fixed to the sleeve 17 and the lower side of plug 12. .As the sleeve 17 is forced inwardly, its ears 3% engage the teeth 42 to thereby partially rotate'the sleeve 17' so that its ears 30 are positioned above the teeth 41. Aspressure is released, the ears 30' willnext engage the lower teeth 41 'andwill then assume the position shown in FIGURE 9. In' this figure, it will be noted that the sleeve 17' is now partially withdrawn into the barrel due to the retention of its ears30'v'between the teeth 41; The opposing springs 47 and 37' assume a new and balanced position,. resulting in a lowering of the sleeve 35 and its latch members 33 and 34. As the latch member 33 is now lower within the barreL the point 24 be comes further extended from the barrel. The net result of the sleeve 17' being partially withdrawn and the point 24, further extended, is that the point 24 is now exposed for writing. t

It will be apparent from the previous description that upon pressing the exposed point 24 and sleeve outer end 7 23', against a rigid surface so as to force both of these position of FIGURE The same retracted and protating while the latch members 33 and 34 and their carrying sleeve 35, are shown as non-rotating relative to the barrel. Actually, with these embodiments it is only necessary that the ears rotate relative to the latch member. And this relative rotation can be due to the ears rotating while the latch members do not, or by the latch members rotating whfle the cars do not rotate, or by both the ears and latch members rotating in opposite directions.

While the preceding illustrates one form of my invention, it will be understood that many variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention. For example, in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 7 rather than being a separate piece, the upper latch element 33, may be readily molded integral with the sleeve 3-5. Thus, one less part is needed and a more simple latching mechanism is provided. It will also be apparent that in this embodiment the latch members 33 and 34 can be mounted on and carried by the ball and cartridge unit 29, while the ears 3! or an equivalent latch element can be carried by or fixed in the sleeve 35. These and numerous other variations within the scope of this invention are possible.

I claim:

l. A writing instrument comprising: a barrel having upper and lower ends; a writing unit longitudinally movable within said barrel and including a writing point; resilient means urging said writing unit to an extended position whereby said writing point normally extends through the lower end of said barrel, and whereby said writing unit can be moved inwardly relative to said barrel and against the urging of said resilient means upon the application of inwardly directed force to said writing point; a hood unit carried by said barrel and having a lower end normally extending past the lower end of said barrel, said hood unit lower end being longitudinally movable relative to said barrel; a pushbutton mounted on said barrel for depression and release, said pushbutton having an inner portion within said barrel and an outer end outside said barrel; and a retraction-protraction mechanism havin a point retracted position and a point protracted position, said mechanism being engageable with one of said units, said mechanism also being engageable with said pushbutton inner portion, said mechanism being shifted back and forth between said positions in response to longitudinal movement of the unit engageable with said mechanism obtained by successive sequences of pressing said writing point and said hood unit lower end into contact with a rigid surface to force said hood unit lower end and said writing point inwardly relative to said barrel against the pressure of said resilient means and then releasing said writing point and said hood unit lower end from said contact, said mechanism also being shifted back and forth between said positions in response to the movement of said pushbutton obtained upon successive sequences of'depressing and releasing said pushbutton, said mechanism when in a point retracted position being operable to conceal said writing point within said hood unit, said mechanism when in a point protracted position being operable to expose said writing point outside of said hood unit for writing.

2. A writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said pushbutton extends through the upper end of said barrel.

3. A writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said pushbutton extends through the side of said barrel.

4. A writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said hood unit is engageable with said mechanism and said said mechanism is shifted by movementt of said cartridge unit.

6. A ballpoint writing instrument comprising a tubular barrel having open lower and upper ends, a cartridge unit longitudinally movable within said barrel and having a ballpoint at its lower end, a first spring within said barrel adapted to engage said cartridge whereby said ballpoint is urged to a position extending through said lower end of said barrel, a tubular hood coaxial with said cartridge unit, said hood having an inner end disposed within said barrel and an outer end extending through the open lower end of said barrel, a second spring adapted to urge said hood to an extended position whereby its outer end projects through the lower end of said barrel, a longitudinally movable pushbutton extending through the open upper end of said barrel and having inner and outer portions, a

latching mechanism including latch receiving means and latch means, said latch receiving means defining a relatively shallow recess and a relatively deep recess, said latch means being alternatingly engageable within said recessesupon relative longitudinal movement of said latch receiving means and said latch means, one of said means being carried by said cartridge unit and the other of said means being carried by said pushbutton, said relative longitudinal movement being obtained by longitudinally depressing and releasing said pushbutton outer portion, said relative longitudinal movement also being obtained by pressing said writing point and said hood outer end into contact with a rigid surface and then releasing from said contact, said latch means when engaged in said relatively deep recess being operable to allow said point to be extended to its protracted position under influence of said second spring, said latch means when engaged in said relatively shallow recess being operable to retain said point in a retracted position against the pressure of said second spring.

7. A writing instrument having a retractable point comprising: a barrel having upper and lower ends, a cartridge unit longitudinally movable within said barrel and having a writing point at its lower end, a first resilient means adapted to urge said cartridge unit to a position wherein said point extends through the lower end of said barrel, a hood mounted within said barrel for longitudinal movement and having an outer end normally projecting through the lower end of said barrel, a second resilient means adapted to urge said hood to a projecting position whereby its outer end extends through the lower end of said barrel, a pushbutton longitudinally movable within the upper portion of said barrel having an outer end extending through said barrel and an inner end within said barrel and a latching mechanism disposed within said barrel adapted to retain said hood in a retracted position exposing said point, said latching mechanism including a latch receiving means and a latch means, said latch receiving means and said latch means being longitudinally movable relative one another between a point prortracted position and a point retracted position, one of said means being carried by said hood and the other of said means being carried by said pushbutton, said latch receiving means and said latch means being shifted back and forth between said positions in response to longitudinal movement of said pushbutton obtained upon successive sequences of longitudinally depressing and releasing said pushbutton outer end, said latch receiving means and said latch means also being shifted back and forth between said positions in response to longitudinal movement of said hood obtained by successive sequences of pressing said writing point and hood outer end into contact with a rigid surface to move said writing point and said hood inwardly relative to said barrel against the action of said first and second resilient means, and then releasing from "said contact, said latch receiving means and said latch means when in a point protracted position being operable to, retain said hood retracted against the force of said 'second resilient means to therebyex-pose said writing point, said latch receiving'means and said latch means when in a point retracted position being operable to allow 8 whereby said point extends through the lower end of said barrel, a hood unit carried by said barrel for longitudinal movement and having an outer endnormally projecting through the lower end of said barrel, a second resilient member adapted to urge said hood unit to a projecting position whereby its outer end extends through the lower end of said barrel, a pushbutton longitudinally movable within the upper portion of said barrel and having an outer end normally'extending through said barrel and an inner end within said barrel, and a latching mechanism including a latch means and a latch receiving means, said latch means and said latch receiving means being longitudinally movable relative one another between a point protracted position and a point retracted position, one of said means being held bysaid pushbutton and the other of said means being held by one of said units, said latch means and said latch receiving means being shifted back and forth between said positions in response to longitudinal movement of said pushbutton obtained upon successive sequences of longitudinally depressing and releasing said pushbutton outer end, said latch means and said latch receiving means also being shifted back and forth between said positions in response to'longitudinal movement of said'unit holding the other of said means obtained by successive sequences of pressing said writing point and hood unit outertend into contact with a rigid surface and then releasing from said contact, said latch means and I said latch receiving means when in a point protracted position being operable to obtain said writing point projected through said hood unit outer end, said latch means and said latch receiving means when in a point retracted position being operable to obtain said writing point concealed within said hood unit. 7

a 9. A writing instrument according to claim 8, wherein said latch means is held by said cartridge unit and said latch receiving means is held by said pushbutton.

' l0. A writing instrument according to claim 8, wherein said latch receiving means defines a deep recess and a shallow recess and said latch means includes a projecting member engageable with said latch receiving means,'said projecting member when engaged within said deep recess being operable to obtain said point protracted position, said projecting member when engaged within said shallow recess being operable to obtain said point retracted position.

'11. A'writing instrument comprising: a barrel having upper and lower ends, a writing unit longitudinally movable within said barrel and including a writing point, resilient means urging said writing unit to an extended position whereby said writing point extends through the lower end of said barrel, a ho'od unit carried by said barrel and having a lower end extending past the lower end of said barrel, said hood unit lower end being longitudinally movable relative to said barrel, a pushbutton having an inner end within said barrel and an outer end outside said barreLVand a retraction-protraction mechanism havinga point retracted position; and a pointrprotracted position, said mechanism being engageable with one of said units, said mechanism also being engageable with said pushbutton, said mechanism being shifted from said point retracted position to said point protracted position in response to longitudinal movement of the unit engageable with saidmechanism obtained by pressing said writing point and said hood unit lower end i-nto contact with a rigid' surface and then releasing from said contact, said mechanism being shifted from said point protracted position to said point retracted position'in re sponse to movement of said pushbutton obtained by depressing and releasing said pushbutton, said mechanism when in a point retracted position being operable to conceal said writing point within said hood unit, said mechanism when in a point protracted position being operable to expose said writing point outside of said hood unit for writing.

12. A writing instrument comprising: a barrel having upper and lower ends, a writing unit longitudinally movable within said barrel and including a writing point, resilient means urging said writing unit to an extended position whereby said writing point extends through the lower end of said barrel, a hood unit carried by said barrel and having a lower end extending past the lower end of said barrel, said hood unit lower end being longitudinally movable relative to said barrel, a pushbutton having an inner end within said barrel and an outer end outside said barrel, and a retraction-protraction mechanism having a point retracted position and a point protracted position, said mechanism being engageable with one of said units, said mechanism also being engageable with said pushbutton, said mechanism being shifted from said point protracted position to said point retracted position in responseto longitudinal movement of the unit engageable with said mechanism obtained by pressing said writing point and said hood unit lower end into contact with a rigid surface and then releasing from said contact, said mechanism being shifted from said point retracted position to said point protracted position in response to movement of said pushbutton obtained by depressing and releasing said pushbutton, said mechanism when in a point retracted position being operable to conceal said writing point within said'hood unit, said mechanism when in a point protracted position'being operable to expose said writing point outside of said hood unit for writing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

